The Perilous Parlor Game is a board game based on A Series of Unfortunate Events. Published in 2002 by Mattel, it predates the film and television series adaptations, and is based directly on the books.
It was released in two versions: in a book-shaped box including metallic figures, and in a standard box containing cardboard movers.
Dear Gaming Enthusiast[]
Dear Gaming Enthusiast,
If you wish to play a game where the hero always wins, the villain is forever defeated, and innocent children are brought to warmth and safety, then I encourage you to put this box down immediately and look for something involving lollipops, ponies, or educational flashcards. The lives of Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire are fraught with sorrow, misfortune and unpleasantness, and the game in their honor contains the exact same things.
The murderous schemes, villainous disguises and bad hygiene of Count Olaf are a major factor of this distressing game, in which the Baudelaire children must use all of their intelligence and resourcefulness to stop their evil nemesis while Mr. Poe wastes time on banking matters. The game is depressing to play and difficult to win, and it is likely that disaster will occur every single time you play it.
I am obligated to provide you with this historical re-enactment of the tribulations befalling these three unlucky youths, but you, thankfully, are in no way obligated to play it. Remember, if you don't play, you can't lose, so if I were you I would find a more pleasing way to occupy your time.
With all due respect,
Gameplay[]
The game may be taken to represent a previously-untold chapter in the saga where the children are sent to live in a nondescript guardian's house. One player must take the role of Count Olaf, intent on sending said guardian to his grave, while one to three others play collaboratively as Violet, Klaus and Sunny, aiming to keep their guardian alive for as long as it takes for Mr. Poe to get to the bank and back to the house. The event of an Olaf victory would be most in keeping with the book series, however, a Baudelaire victory may be taken to represent the children successfully sticking with a single guardian for as many years as needed to receive their fortune, which mostly goes against the spirit of the series.